Pharmaceuticals

Lilly's Art of Ignoring Drug's Diabetes Risk

by Bob Burton — August 4, 2008 - 3:09am

Main Source: 
Bloomberg, July 31, 2008

Pushing Prescriptions

by Sheldon Rampton — July 25, 2008 - 12:50am

"Washington's largest lobby, the pharmaceutical industry, racked up another banner year on Capitol Hill in 2007, backed by a record $168 million lobbying effort," reports M. Asif Ismail.

Main Source: 
Center for Public Integrity, June 24, 2008

If You Can't Beat 'Em, Hire 'Em

by Judith Siers-Poisson — July 23, 2008 - 5:31pm

Daniel Troy served as chief counsel for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 2001 to 2004. Starting September 2, 2008, he will be head counsel for the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline.

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub req'd) July 23, 2008

Peak Drug Industry Body Sin Bins Roche

by Bob Burton — July 22, 2008 - 1:40am

The Swiss drug company Roche has been suspended from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) after adverse findings over its promotion of the weight-loss drug Xenical.

Main Source: 
Financial Times (UK), July 15, 2008

Prescription Propaganda

by Sheldon Rampton — July 21, 2008 - 11:32pm

"The Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, a recently created front group for pharmaceutical interests, has been churning out industry-funded propaganda that demonizes evidence-based medicine, universal health care, the government, and all critics of pharma while attempting to portray industry as a selfless provider of cures and education," write Norman Kelley and Adriane Fugh-Berman.

Main Source: 
Bioethics Forum, June 27, 2008

Drug Companies Move to Regulate Themselves, Before Anyone Else Does

by Judith Siers-Poisson — July 10, 2008 - 3:43pm

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has announced a ban on giving branded items to doctors. The pens, notepads, mugs and other gifts are ubiquitous in medical offices. Some, like Senator Herb Kohl, think it is a step in the right direction. "We've been pushing to see reforms like this for some time now.

Main Source: 
New York Times, July 10, 2008

Eli Lilly Fined for Breaching Australian Ban on Direct-to-Consumer Ads

by Bob Burton — July 9, 2008 - 5:59am

Eli Lilly has been fined A$60,000 for issuing a media release promoting a version of its erectile dysfunction drug Cialis despite an Australian ban on direct-to-consumer advertising. In April Eli Lilly released Cialis Once-a-Day. To coincide with its launch, the company issued a media release headlined "New research reveals scheduled sex a turn-off," which promoting the results of a Lilly-commissioned opinion poll.

Main Source: 
The Australian, July 5, 2008

People Want to Know What Docs Are Taking

by Judith Siers-Poisson — June 27, 2008 - 2:09pm

Americans think that doctors are influenced by drug companies and want to know about gifts given to their healthcare provider, according to a national survey by the non-profit Prescription Project. Over two-thirds of those surveyed would support legislation that would require drug companies to disclose gifts to doctors.

Main Source: 
White Coat Notes, Boston Globe, June 20, 2008

Most Med Schools Not Making the Grade

by Judith Siers-Poisson — June 8, 2008 - 9:31pm

The American Medical Students' Association (AMSA) graded 150 medical schools on their conflict-of-interest policies and the influence that drug companies have with faculty and students. Only seven of the schools surveyed received an "A"; 60 got a failing grade, for not having sufficient policies or for not participating in the survey. AMSA president Dr. Brian Hurley called strong conflict-of-interest policies "incredibly important to protect the educational experience." Dr.

Main Source: 
New York Times, June 3, 2008
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